Scream Star's Interview Nearly Ruined $1 Billion Franchise

Skeet Ulrich's 1996 slip-up about playing the killer almost tanked the iconic horror series before it began.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:21am

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In 1996, rising star Skeet Ulrich was doing press for multiple films, including the soon-to-be-released Scream. During an interview, Ulrich accidentally revealed that he was playing the killer in the slasher film, nearly ruining the franchise's big twist ending before it even premiered. Luckily, the magazine redacted the spoiler, and Scream went on to become a massive $1 billion horror franchise that launched the careers of Ulrich and his co-stars.

Why it matters

Scream's twist ending was the core of the franchise's success, as audiences flocked to theaters to see the big reveal of the killer's identity. Ulrich's accidental spoiler could have tanked the film and prevented the creation of the iconic Ghostface character and the subsequent sequels that followed.

The details

While promoting Scream, Craft, and Last Dance in 1996, Skeet Ulrich did an interview where he enthusiastically told the reporter, "Oh, I'm so excited! I get to play this serial killer!" Realizing his mistake, Ulrich immediately called his publicist, but the magazine had already agreed to redact the spoiler before publication.

  • In May 1996, Ulrich had three films premiering the same week: The Craft, Last Dance, and Boys.
  • Scream was set to be released in December 1996.

The players

Skeet Ulrich

The actor who played Billy Loomis, the killer in the original Scream film. Ulrich nearly ruined the franchise's twist ending in a 1996 interview.

Wes Craven

The director of the Scream franchise, known for his mastery of the horror genre and twist endings.

Neve Campbell

Ulrich's co-star in Scream, playing the lead role of Sidney Prescott.

Lisa Beach

The casting director who brought Ulrich and Campbell back together for Scream after they co-starred in The Craft.

Interview Magazine

The publication that agreed to redact Ulrich's spoiler about playing the killer before the interview was published.

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What they’re saying

“Oh, I'm so excited! I get to play this serial killer!”

— Skeet Ulrich, Actor

“I called my publicist right away.”

— Skeet Ulrich, Actor

What’s next

The Scream franchise continues to thrive, with Scream 7 recently breaking box office records and cementing the series' status as a horror classic.

The takeaway

Skeet Ulrich's near-disastrous slip-up highlights the importance of discretion and embargo agreements in the film industry, as even a single spoiler can jeopardize the success of an entire franchise. The Scream series' enduring popularity is a testament to the power of well-executed twist endings in horror.